,FROM ,G]MANY TO ,BAKUR 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,S9CE !IR SUCCESSFUL DEF5SE ( ,KOBANE AGA9/ ! ,ISLAMIC ,/ATE A YE> AGO1 ! ,KURDI% RESI/ANCE MOVEM5T HAS CAPTUR$ 9T]NATIONAL M$IA ATT5TION4 ,MEAN:ILE1 !IR EXP]IM5TS 9 =M+ A /ATELESS SOCIETY 9 ! AUTONOM\S CANTONS ( ,ROJAVA HAVE FASC9AT$ AN>*I/S ACROSS ! WORLD4 ,BUT 9 ORD] TO UND]/& ! ,KURDI% RESI/ANCE 9 ,ROJAVA 7WE/]N ,KURDI/AN71 WE NE$ TO TAKE A BROAD] LOOK AT /RUGGLES = FRE$OM & AUTONOMY ACROSS ! REGION4 ,WE 9T]VIEW$ TWO MEMB]S ( A NETWORK ( 9T]NATIONALI/ AN>*I/S 9 ,G]MANY :O HAVE SP5T TIME 9 ,BAKUR 7NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN71 LE>N+ FROM ! /RUGGLES TAK+ PLACE !RE4 ,BEG9N+ ) A HI/ORICAL OV]VIEW ( ! EM]G5CE ( ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T & ! ,P,K,K'S 0NEW P>ADIGM0 ( ! LA/ DECADE1 !Y DESCRIBE H[ !IR EXP]I5CES 9 ,KURDI/AN HAVE REFRAM$ !IR UND]/&+ ( AN>*I/ /RUGGLES ELSE:]E ACROSS ! GLOBE4 

,9 \R FEATURE 0,UND]/&+ ! ,KURDI% ,RESI/ANCE0 & EPISODES #cf & #ci ( ! ,EX-,WORK] PODCA/1 \R DISCUSSION ( ! ,KURDI% /RUGGLE = FRE$OM & AUTONOMY FOCUS$ ON ,ROJAVA 7WE/]N ,KURDI/AN74 ,BUT IMPORTANT /RUGGLES >E TAK+ PLACE 9 O!R P>TS ( ,KURDI/AN AS WELL1 SOME ( :I* HAV5'T RECEIV$ AS MU* ATT5TION4 ,C\LD Y\ PROVIDE SOME HI/ORICAL CONTEXT = ! EM]G5CE ( ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T1 & DESCRIBE ! /RUGGLES UNFOLD+ TODAY 9 ,BAKUR 7NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN78 

,WELL1 ! /ORY BEG9S ) PEOPLE SITT+ >\ND A CAMPFIRE 9 ,UPP] ,MESOPOTAMIA LONG1 LONG AGO4 ,>\ND #dc YE>S AGO1 A NEW SOCIAL /RUCTURE BEGAN EVOLV+ 9 ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/1 A HI<LY AGGRESSIVE =M ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION ?AT ATTACK$ ! OLD COMMUNIT>IAN /RUCTURES3 ! ,SUM]IAN PRIE/ /ATE4 ,! HI/ORICAL PROCESS ?AT L$ TO ! REVOLUTION 9 ,ROJAVA CAN'T BE UND]/OOD )\T RECOGNIZ+ ! LONG TRADITION ( RESI/ANCE & UPRIS+S 9 ! ,KURDI% REGIONS ACROSS ! ,ZAGROS & ,TAUROS M\NTA9 *A9S4 ,IT'S ! >EA ?AT WAS PROBABLY FIR/ T>GET$ = COLONIZATION BY ! EVOLV+ /ATE SY/EM1 :OSE ROOTS LAY 9 ,L[] ,MESOPOTAMIA1 TODAY'S NOR!RN ,IRAQ1 & :I* WAS ALSO ! PR$ECESSOR ( TODAY'S ,WE/]N /ATE SY/EM4 ,! ,P,K,K & ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T TODAY UND]/& !MSELVES )9 ?IS LONG TRADITION ( ANTI-GOV]NM5TAL RESI/ANCE1 C\NT+ !MSELVES AS ! #b#i? ,KURDI% UPRIS+ 9 HI/ORY4 ,! ,KURDI% REGIONS ALWAYS LAY ON ! $GE ( /RONG EMPIRES1 & HAVE FAC$ ATTACKS BY BASICALLY EV]Y IMP]IAL /RUCTURE ?AT EM]G$ 9 ! REGION S9CE A FEW ?\S& YE>S AGO4 ,BECAUSE ( ! M\NTA9\S T]RA9 & ! ,KURDS' DEC5TRALIZ$ SOCIAL ORGANIZATION 9 VILLAGE CONF$]ATIONS1 !SE REGIONS W]E NEV] FULLY CONQU]$ & ASSIMILAT$4 ,AS A RESULT1 = ?\S&S ( YE>S !Y HAVE FAC$ EF=TS BY \TSIDE P[]S TO PU% 9TO !IR T]RITORY1 & TO CO-OPT FEUDAL ,KURDI% ELITES 9 ORD] TO SECURE OB$I5CE & TO PREV5T 7OR AT LEA/ ISOLATE7 REBELLION4 

,IF WE FA/-=W>D TO ! #b? C5TURY1 WE SEE !SE DYNAMICS /ILL AT PLAY AS ! MOD]N REGIONAL NATION-/ATE SY/EM EM]GES4 ,! ,TURKI% /ATE WAS F\ND$ 9 #aibc AFT] ! COLLAPSE ( ! ,OTTOMAN ,EMPIRE1 :I* HAD RUL$ ! ,KURDI% T]RITORIES 9 ! EA/ BUT HAD GRANT$ !M CULTURAL & EV5 POLITICAL AUTONOMY4 ,DUR+ ,WORLD ,W> ,I1 ! ,OTTOMANS ALLI$ ) ! ,C5TRAL ,P[]S1 =G+ P>TICUL> POLITICAL & IDEOLOGICAL L9KS ) ,G]MANY ?AT CONT9UE TO ?IS DAY4 ,AFT] ! DEFEAT ( ! ,C5TRAL ,P[]S & ! COLLAPSE ( ! ,OTTOMAN ,EMPIRE1 ,TURKI% NATIONALI/ GR\PS F\<T = !IR [N /ATE4 ,FROM ITS F\ND+1 ! IDEOLOGY ( ! NEW /ATE WAS ULTRA-NATIONALI/4 ,!Y PROCLAIM$ ,TURKEY A /ATE = ALL ,TURKI% PEOPLE1 & DEF9$ ALL PEOPLE LIV+ )9 ITS BORD]S AS P>T ( ! GREAT ,TURKI% NATION1 L9K+ !IR /ATE TO ! IDEA ( E?NIC SUP]IORITY4 ,AS A RESULT1 ANY PEOPLE ?AT CLAIM$ A DIFF]5T E?NIC OR NATIONAL ID5TITY1 :E!R ,ASSYRIANS1 ,>M5IANS1 ,KURDS1 OR O!RS1 W]E TREAT$ LIKE TRAITORS & SEP>ATI/ T]RORI/S4 ,UNTIL ! #a#i#iS1 ,KURDI% & O!R NON-,TURKI% LANGUAGES W]E (FICIALLY =BIDD5 9 ,TURKEY--NOT JU/ = AFFAIRS ( /ATE1 BUT EV5 9 PRIVATE USE4 

,WE'RE TALK+ AB\T ALL ?IS HI/ORY BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO UND]/& ! H>%NESS ( ! CONDITIONS 9 :I* ! ,P>TIYA ,K>K]5 ,KURDI/AN 7,P,K,K71 ! ,WORK]'S ,P>TY ( ,KURDI/AN1 WAS F\ND$4 ,! CONTEMPOR>Y ,KURDI% MOVEM5T EM]G$ DUR+ ! Y\? REVOLT ( #aifh 9 ,TURKEY1 :]E A REVOLUTION>Y F]M5T WAS GR[+ AMONG SOCIALI/ ORGANIZATIONS1 RADICAL /UD5TS1 WORK]S1 & PEASANTS4 ,9 ! #a#i#gS1 A GR\P ( ,KURDI% & ,TURKI% FRI5DS >\ND ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN1 ,KEMAL ,PIR1 ,HAKI ,K>]1 & O!RS GA!R$ 9 ,ANK>A & BEGAN DISCUSS+ ! ,KURDI% QUE/ION FROM A REVOLUTION>Y P]SPECTIVE4 ,ONE ( !IR C5TRAL IDEAS WAS ?AT ,KURDI/AN WAS AN 9T]NAL COLONY1 & NE$$ TO BE FRE$ FROM COLONIAL OPPRESSION TO E/ABLI% A SOCIALI/ UTOPIA4 ,SO ! ,P,K,K WAS F\ND$ 9 #a#i#g#h1 & BEGAN TO ORGANIZE ACCORD+ TO ! T5ETS ( CLASSICAL ,M>XI/-,L59I/ !ORY4 ,UND] 0! OLD P>ADIGM10 AS !Y CALL IT TODAY1 ! ,P,K,K AIM$ TO ORGANIZE A POLITICAL VANGU>D & />T A REVOLUTION>Y W> TO FREE ! ,KURDI% T]RITORIES & E/ABLI% A ,KURDI% /ATE1 :I* W\LD !N BE US$ TO E/ABLI% SOCIALISM4 

,9 ! 9T5SELY OPPRESSIVE CLIMATE ( ,TURKEY 9 ! #a#i#gS1 MANY W]E DESP]ATE TO FI<T = ANO!R LIFE1 & ! /RATEGY & CONVICTION ( ! ,P,K,K SPREAD RAPIDLY4 ,9 #a#i#h#d1 !Y />T$ A GU]RILLA /RUGGLE ?AT ESCALAT$ 9TO A BRUTAL CIVIL W>4 ,! GU]RILLA MOVEM5T DREW CONSID]ABLE SUPPORT FROM SOCIETY1 & 9 MANY REGIONS C\LD NOT BE SEP>AT$ FROM ! BROAD] POPULATION4 ,9 RESPONSE1 ! ,TURKI% >MY1 MILIT>Y POLICE1 & SECRET S]VICE />T$ CAMPAIGNS ( RETALIATION TO DEFEAT ! REBELS & 9TIMIDATE ! POPULATION4 ,UND] ! AUSPICES ( ! ,N,A,T,O-SPONSOR$ 0,GLADIO0 ANTI-COMMUNI/ PROGRAM1 !Y DE/ROY$ SOME #d VILLAGES & KILL$ MORE ?AN #d1 PEOPLE4 

,9 ! WAKE ( ?IS BLOOD%$1 ! ,KURDI% LIB]ATION MOVEM5T BEGAN A PROCESS ( REFLECTION & SELF-CRITICISM 9 ! E>LY #a#i#iS4 ,9 ADDITION TO FAC+ BRUTAL /ATE & P>AMILIT>Y REPRESSION1 ! GU]RILLA MOVEM5T WAS RACK$ ) 9T]NAL PROBLEMS1 ) SOME ,P,K,K LEAD]S ACT+ 9 ! MANN] ( FEUDAL W>LORDS ) A MILIT>I/IC LOGIC ( BLOOD REV5GE4 ,IT HAD BECOME CLE> ?AT A M]ELY MILIT>Y /RUGGLE W\LDN'T RESOLVE ANY?+4 ,! OLD P>ADIGM HAD L$ TO UNREL5T+ W> & HO/ILITY1 & C\LD NEI!R ADDRESS SOCIAL PROBLEMS )9 ,KURDI% T]RITORIES NOR DEF5D !M EFFECTIVELY FROM EXT]NAL ?REATS4 ,! ,P,K,K DECL>$ A UNILAT]AL CEASEFIRE 9 #a#i#i#c1 HALT+ ! CIVIL W> TO CREATE SPACE = ! MOVEM5T TO =MULATE A DIFF]5T P>ADIGM = SOCIAL TRANS=MATION4 ,! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T FAC$ MANY SETBACKS & *ALL5GES DUR+ ?IS PROCESS ( REFLECTION--REPEAT$ EF=TS FROM ! ,TURKI% /ATE TO PROVOKE NEW \TBREAKS ( CIVIL W>1 ! KIDNAPP+ & IMPRISONM5T ( ,P,K,K *AIRMAN ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN1 & ! ASC5T ( MORE OLD-FA%ION$ FEUDAL-/YLE ,KURDI% P>TIES SU* AS ! ,B>ZANI ,CLAN 9 ,NOR!RN ,IRAQ4 ,YET DESPITE !SE *ALL5GES1 BETWE5 #aiic & #b#e1 ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T DEVELOP$ :AT !Y N[ CALL 0! NEW P>ADIGM10 :I* W\LD PR(\NDLY %IFT ! GOALS & /RATEGIES ( ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T4 

,ONE MAJOR PU% T[>DS ?IS PROCESS ( 9T]NAL *ANGE CAME FROM ! ,KURDI% WOM5'S MOVEM5T4 ,?\S&S ( WOM5 HAD JO9$ ! GU]RILLA =CES DUR+ ! CIVIL W>4 ,(T51 !Y F\ND !MSELVES 9 CONFLICT ) OLD-FA%ION$ COMM&]S :O ATTEMPT$ TO HOLD !M 9 TRADITIONAL G5D] ROLES & DID NOT TREAT !M EQUALLY4 ,9 RESPONSE1 !Y E/ABLI%$ COMPLETELY AUTONOM\S FEMALE GU]RILLA GR\PS1 :I* WAS QUITE A REVOLUTION>Y ACT 9 !IR CULTURAL CONTEXT4 ,!Y RECLAIM$ = !MSELVES ! RI<T TO FI<T 9 BATTLE & ORGANIZ$ ON !IR [N1 AS P>T ( ! MOVEM5T BUT MAK+ !IR [N DECISIONS AUTONOM\SLY4 ,AS \R FRI5DS HAVE TOLD US1 !RE WAS ALSO A DIFF]5CE 9 !IR WAY ( FI<T+3 9 MALE OR MIX$-G5D] UNITS1 COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR P]SI/$1 A H]ITAGE FROM MANY G5]ATIONS ( HI]>*ICAL SOCIETY ?AT REMA9S A PROBLEM TO ?IS DAY4 ,DYNAMICS AMONG ! FEMALE FI<T]S W]E LESS COMPETITIVE2 WE CAN SEE EVID5CE = ?IS 9 ! NUMB]S ( FALL5 FI<T]S4 ,MO/ CASUALTIES TOOK PLACE :5 HEAD+ BACK FROM AN ACTION1 :5 ATTITUDES ( COCK9ESS & PRIDE OV] VICTORY AMONG ! MALE FI<T]S W]E QUITE COMMON4 ,BY CONTRA/1 9 ! WOM5'S UNITS1 AW>5ESS T5D$ TO BE MORE LONG-RANGE1 & !IR FI<T]S PROV$ LESS VULN]ABLE TO ?IS POT5TIALLY FATAL OV]CONFID5CE4 

,9 ADDITION TO AUTONOM\S MILIT>Y UNITS1 ,KURDI% WOM5 ALSO =M$ SOCIAL & POLITICAL COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS ! PROBLEM ( PATRI>*AL OPPRESSION4 ,TODAY1 ! HEAD ( ! WOM5'S MOVEM5T IS ! ,KOMAL5 ,J95 ,KURDI/AN 7,K,J,K71 ! ,CONF$]ATION ( ,WOM5 9 ,KURDI/AN1 :I* IS P>T ( ! ,K,C,K1 ! G5]AL CONF$]ATION1 BUT MAKES DECISIONS AUTONOM\SLY4 ,ALSO1 ! WOM5'S MOVEM5T MA9TA9S VETO P[] OV] DECISIONS MADE BY M5'S GR\PS OR G5]AL ASSEMBLIES4 ,UND] !IR 9FLU5CE1 ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T HAS *ALL5G$ LONG-/&+ PATRI>*AL & HI]>*ICAL PATT]NS 9 !IR MODELS ( ORGANIZ+4 

,! PROCESS ( %IFT+ T[>DS A NEW P>ADIGM WAS ALSO PU%$ BY AN IDEOLOGICAL W+ )9 ! ,P,K,K >\ND !IR *AIRMAN ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN1 :O =MULAT$ ! IDEA ( DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM AFT] UND]TAK+ A DEEP HI/ORICAL ANALYSIS ( ! HI]>*ICAL SY/EM ( ,MIDDLE ,EA/ & BEYOND4 ,HE /RESS$ ?AT ! PROBLEMS ( P[]1 OPPRESSION1 & VIOL5CE EM]G$ FROM ! HI/ORICAL PROCESS ( CIVILIZATION ITSELF1 BEG9N+ ) ! ANCI5T ,SUM]IAN PRIE/ /ATES1 :I* HAD POS$ ! 9ITIAL *ALL5GE TO ! MORE EGALIT>IAN & (T5 MATRIC5TRIC =MS ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION ?AT HAD PREC$$ !M4 ,! PROBLEMS ( OPPRESSION1 W>F>E1 & ! QUE/ = P[] >E L9K$ TO ! 9/ITUTIONALIZATION ( PATRI>*AL RELATION%IPS 9 /ATE /RUCTURES & ! PRIE/HOOD4 ,! CAPITALI/ SY/EM1 ! NATION-/ATE1 & 9DU/RIALISM >E CONCEPTS ?AT EVOLV$ \T ( !SE HI]>*ICAL & MALE-DOM9AT$ MODES ( ?\<T4 ,OCALAN ALSO DREW ON ! IDEAS ( ,AM]ICAN AN>*I/ ,MURRAY ,BOOK*9 = HIS ANALYSIS ( ! UTOPIAN POT5TIAL ( DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM1 & /RESS$ ! IMPORTANCE ( EMBRAC+ A NEW ECOLOGICAL1 DEMOCRATIC1 & G5D]-LIB]AT$ P>ADIGM4 ,C5TRAL TO HIS CONCEPTION ( ! 0NEW P>ADIGM0 ( ! ,P,K,K WAS ! IDEA ( COMMUNALISM1 ?AT EA* P>T ( SOCIETY %\LD ORGANIZE ITSELF & COME TOGE!R 9 A DEC5TRALIZ$1 COMMUNIT>IAN CONF$]ATION4 

,9SPIR$ BY ?IS NEW P>ADIGM1 ! ,KOMAL5 ,CIWAK5 ,KURDI/AN 7,K,C,K71 ! ,CONF$]ATION ( ! ,SOCIETIES ( ,KURDI/AN1 WAS F\ND$ 9 #b#e4 ,AT ITS CORE IS A SY/EM ( C\NCILS 9 NEI<BORHOODS1 VILLAGES1 & CITIES1 S]V+ AS A POT5T CIVIL C\NT]-P[] TO FO/] ! DEVELOPM5T ( AUTONOMY FROM ! NATION-/ATE & ! CAPITALI/ ECONOMY4 ,! ,K,C,K =MS ! MA9 ASSEMBLY ( ! C\NCIL SY/EM 9 ,KURDI/AN1 9CLUD+ DELEGATES FROM ALL ! P>TICIPAT+ ,KURDI% REGIONS4 ,!Y ELECT AN EXECUTIVE BODY ) A M&ATE TO WORK ON ISSUES ( IMPORTANCE = ALL REGIONS1 SU* AS DIPLOMATIC REPRES5TATION ON A GLOBAL LEVEL1 IDEOLOGICAL & /RATEGIC PROPOSALS1 & QUE/IONS ( DEF5SE4 ,!Y ALSO ADM9I/RATE ! ,PEOPLE'S ,DEF5SE ,=CES 7,H,P,G71 CONTA9+ ! >M$ W+S FROM ALL P>TS ( ! MOVEM5T4 ,OV] ! PA/ DECADE1 DESPITE HEAVY REPRESSION & W>TIME CONDITIONS1 ! MOVEM5T 9 NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN HAS CREAT$ /RUCTURES = A DEMOCRATIC1 ECOLOGICAL1 & G5D]-LIB]AT$ SOCIETY4 

,LIKE ! ,K,C,K1 :I* 5COMPASSES ! /RUCTURES ( DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMY ?R\<\T ,KURDI/AN1 ! ,DEMOKRATIK ,TOPLUM ,KONGRESI 7,D,T,K71 ! ,DEMOCRATIC ,SOCIETY ,CONGRESS1 COMPRISES ! C\NCIL SY/EM 9 ! REGION ( ,BAKUR1 OR NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN1 :I* FALLS )9 ! BORD]S ( ! ,TURKI% NATION-/ATE4 ,! ,D,T,K'S F$]AT$ /RUCTURE BEG9S AT ! LEVEL ( ! VILLAGE OR URBAN NEI<BORHOOD UP ?R\< DI/RICT1 CITY1 & ULTIMATELY ! REGION ( ,BAKUR4 ,AT ! HI<E/ LEVEL ( ! F$]ATION1 ! ,D,T,K ASSEMBLY 9CLUDES RECALLABLE DELEGATES FROM MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS1 LABOR UNIONS1 & POLITICAL P>TIES1 ) A =TY P]C5T G5D] QUOTA & RES]V$ POSITIONS = RELIGI\S M9ORITIES 9 ! ASSEMBLIES & A DUAL CO-*AIR SY/EM ) ONE POSITION RES]V$ = A MALE & ! O!R = A FEMALE4 ,9 CLASSIC GRASSROOTS /YLE1 P>TICIPANTS ATTEMPT TO SOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS ON A LOCAL LEVEL1 & ONLY IF !Y CANNOT F9D A SOLUTION DO !Y SEEK ONE ON ! NEXT LEVEL4 ,NON-,KURDI% PEOPLE TAKE P>T 9 SOME ( ! ASSEMBLIES1 9CLUD+ MEMB]S ( ! ,AZ]BAIJANI & ,>AMAIC COMMUNITIES4 ,ALSO1 Y\NG PEOPLE >E ORGANIZ+ !MSELVES BO? )9 & P>ALLEL TO !SE /RUCTURES UND] ! SLOGAN 0,CAPITALISM IS AN OLD MAN--WE'RE A MOVEM5T MADE ( ! UNIT$ P[]S ( WOM5 & Y\?40 ,?IS S5TIM5T EMPHASIZES ! IMPORTANCE ( Y\? & WOM5'S ORGANIZ+ 9 OV]COM+ ! 5TR5*$ LEGACIES ( HI]>*Y 9 ,KURDI% SOCIETY1 BUT ALSO REFLECTS ! PHILOSOPHY ?AT Y\? IS NOT A MATT] ( ACTUAL AGE1 BUT RA!R A M9DSET AK9 TO ! ,ZAPATI/A SLOGAN 0CAM9&O PREGUNT&O10 MOV+ ON :ILE CONT9UALLY QUE/ION+4 

,?IS F$]AT$ /RUCTURE ( ASSEMBLIES & CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS WAS E/ABLI%$ TO RESOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS & TO SUPPORT ! SELF-ORGANIZATION ( ! :OLE POPULATION ?R\< BOTTOM-UP DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES4 ,?US1 RA!R ?AN BE+ DEF9$ PURELY 9 T]MS ( E?NICITY OR T]RITORY1 ! CONCEPT ( DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMY PROPOSES LOCAL & REGIONAL /RUCTURES ?R\< :I* CULTURAL DIFF]5CES CAN BE FREELY EXPRESS$4 ,AS A RESULT1 !RE >E A COLORFUL V>IETY ( $UCATIONAL1 CULTURAL1 & SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS & EXP]IM5TS ) COOP]ATIVE ECONOMICS DEVELOP+ >\ND NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN4 ,IT'S WOR? HI<LI<T+ ! M$IATION COMMITTEES1 :I* AIM TO F9D A CONS5SUS BETWE5 P>TIES 9 CONFLICT & !RE=E A LONG-T]M >RANGEM5T1 RA!R ?AN PO/PONEM5T ( ! PROBLEM ?R\< PUNI%M5T4 ,?IS (T5 LEADS TO MANY LONG DISCUSSIONS1 BUT IT %[S A CONCEPT ( COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY 9 :I* ! ACCUS$ %\LDN'T BE EXCLUD$ ?R\< P5ALTIES OR DET5TION1 BUT %\LD BE MADE AW>E ( ! 9JU/ICE & H>M ?AT HIS OR H] BEHAVIOR HAS CAUS$4 ,?IS HAS MADE ! /ATE C\RTS SUP]FLU\S 9 MANY /RON<OLDS ( ! ,KURDI% LIB]ATION MOVEM5T4 ,ALONGSIDE !SE M$IATION COMMITTEES & O!R C\NCILS1 Y\ CAN F9D SOCIAL C5T]S = Y\? & = WOM5 ON ALL LEVELS ( SOCIETY1 ) ACTIVITIES RANG+ FROM ,KURDI% LANGUAGE C\RSES & POLITICAL SEM9>S TO MUSIC & !AT] GR\PS4 

,?IS IS ! CONTEXT 9 :I* WE %\LD UND]/& ! SUCCESS ( ! ONGO+ REVOLUTION 9 ,ROJAVA4 ,! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T CAN LOOK BACK ON =TY YE>S ( RADICAL /RUGGLE1 ) ITS FAILURES1 REFLECTIONS1 & ADVANCES4 ,EV5 ?\< ! =MATION ( DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMY 9 NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN HAS PROV$ MU* MORE *AOTIC1 REMA9S 5TANGL$ ) ! OLD /ATE /RUCTURES1 & IS CAU<T 9 A SOCIAL & ECOLOGICAL W> RA!R ?AN 9 A MILIT>Y ONE1 IT IS WIDELY COMP>ABLE ) ! PROCESSES GO+ ON 9 ,ROJAVA4 

,ONE QUE/ION AN>*I/S HAVE ASK$ AB\T ?IS /RUGGLE IS H[ MU* ! REC5T ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN DIRECTION ( ! ,KURDI% /RUGGLE--9CLUD+ ! /RUCTURES ( DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM1 ! PR9CIPLES ( WOM5'S LIB]ATION1 & SO =?-->E COM+ FROM ! TOP D[N1 FROM ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN & ! ,P,K,K LEAD]%IP4 ,IT W\LD SEEM LIKE A CONTRADICTION IF AN ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN REVOLUTION W]E BE+ DIRECT$ FROM ABOVE6 ,:AT IS Y\R P]SPECTIVE ON ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 ! IDEOLOGY ( ! LEAD]S 9 !SE ORGANIZATIONS & ! TRANS=MATION ( SOCIAL RELATIONS & /RUCTURES 9 ,KURDI/AN8 

,?AT'S A QUITE HEAVY PO9T1 :I* WE DISCUSS QUITE A LOT1 & :I*1 AT LEA/ 9 ,G]MANY1 IS L9K$ TO A C]TA9 FE> /EMM+ FROM BAD EXP]I5CES 9 REVOLUTION>Y /RUGGLES4 ,= SURE1 ! QUE/ION ( LEAD]%IP & 9ITIATIVE IS ONE ( ! MO/ DIFFICULT ONES :5 WE'RE DEAL+ ) SELF-ORGANIZATION1 & IT IS ALSO A H>D ONE = ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T4 ,! REAL QUE/IONS >E3 H[ CAN !RE BE A DRA/IC REVOLUTION>Y *ANGE 9 SOCIETY8 ,:O EVALUATES ! NE$8 ,& :O MAKES DECISIONS AB\T ! DIRECTION8 ,! ANSW] HAS TO BE3 EV]YONE1 = EV]Y?+1 ALWAYS4 ,P]HAPS ! EVOLUTION ( ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T & ! ,P,K,K CAN (F] A USEFUL EXAMPLE1 :I* HAS YET TO BE FULLY UND]/OOD 9 ! ,WE/]N WORLD4 ,OCALAN & ! ,P,K,K >E NOT SIMPLY ACT+ \T A FIX$ IDEOLOGICAL PATT]N OR A DOGMATIC SY/EM1 LIKE ! ONE & ONLY TRUE PA? ( ,M>XISM-,L59ISM ASS]T$ BY ! =M] SOCIALI/ /ATES4 ,MAYBE ! ES!TICS ( REVOLUTION>Y SOCIALISM--! BE>D$ LEAD] & ! GRIM1 SELFLESS GU]RILLA W>RIOR--MISLEAD US1 :5 WE DON'T LOOK BEYOND ! IMAGE & 9QUIRE FUR!R4 

,:AT WE'RE SEE+ 9 ,KURDI/AN TODAY1 BO? 9 ,ROJAVA & 9 ! NOR?1 IS A NEW ME?OD BY :I* ! :OLE ( SOCIETY IS COM+ 9TO CONSCI\SNESS4 ,IF WE UND]/& ! P]SI/5CE ( /ATE & PATRI>*AL OPPRESSION AS A PROBLEM ( PEOPLE REMA9+ UNCONSCI\S ( ! POSSIBILITIES = RESI/ANCE1 WE SEE ! IMPORTANCE ( ACTIVAT+ ! CONSCI\SNESS ( SOCIETY4 ,9 ALL P>TS ( ,KURDI/AN :]E ! LIB]ATION MOVEM5T ORGANIZES1 WE F9D COMMITTEES =M+ :AT !Y CALL ACADEMIES4 ,AN ACADEMY CAN TAKE MANY DIFF]5T =MS1 BUT WE CAN MO/ EASILY UND]/& IT AS A COLLECTIVE SPACE = =M+ A COMMON CONSCI\SNESS4 ,SOME MI<T BE AS SIMPLE AS A DISCUSSION GR\P ?AT MEETS ONCE A WEEK1 BUT !RE >E ALSO LONG]1 MORE 9T5SIVE ONES1 9 :I* ALL ACTIVI/S P>TICIPATE 7&1 9 REC5T YE>S1 ANY MEMB] ( SOCIETY :O WANTS TO TAKE P>T CAN JO974 ,! ACADEMIES >E ALWAYS L9K$ TO O!R SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS2 ! Y\? GR\PS & ! WOM5'S MOVEM5T HAVE !IR [N ACADEMIES1 :ILE O!R GR\PS ORGANIZE G5]AL ACADEMIES = EV]YONE4 ,EA* ( !SE EMPHASIZES SELF-EMP[]M5T1 & 9 !SE 9/ITUTIONS ! PROPOSALS (F]$ BY ,OCALAN & ! ,P,K,K >E DISCUSS$ & CRITICIZ$ 9T5SIVELY4 ,& ?OSE LEAD]S >E NOT ! ONLY ONES (F]+ PROPOSALS3 EA* 9/ITUTION1 EA* COMMITTEE1 & EA* 9DIVIDUAL CAN SPREAD !IR [N IDEAS4 

,?IS PRACTICE DEVELOP$ \T ( ! PROCESS ( POLITICAL $UCATION )9 ! OLD ,P,K,K1 :]E IT WAS /&>D = EV]Y MILITANT & GU]RILLA FI<T] TO RECEIVE BO? MILIT>Y & IDEOLOGICAL TRA9+4 ,AS ! NEW P>ADIGM EM]G$1 IT BECAME CLE> ?AT ! GOAL WAS NOT SIMPLY TO CREATE A WELL-$UCAT$ PHILOSOPHICAL VANGU>D LIKE 9 ! OLD CADRE-SY/EM ( ,L59ISM1 BUT TO LIB]ATE ! CONSCI\SNESS ( LIT]ALLY EV]Y P]SON :O TAKES P>T 9 ! PROCESS ( =M+ ! NEW SOCIETY4 ,?OSE :O WANT TO SELF-ORGANIZE HAVE TO REFLECT ON !IR RELATION TO ! WORLD1 :I* MEANS DEEP5+ ONE'S EXPLORATION ( PHILOSOPHY4 

,ONE ME?OD (T5 US$ 9 !SE ACADEMIES IS :AT WE MI<T CALL AN ASSOCIATIVE ANALYSIS4 ,:5 DISCUSS+ A C]TA9 TOPIC1 EV]YBODY (F]S !IR [N ASSOCIATIONS ) IT1 & ?R\< ! PROCESS ( EA* P]SON %>+ !IR IMPRESSIONS & EXP]I5CES :ILE O!RS LI/5 C>EFULLY & /RIVE TO UND]/&1 A CONS5SUS CAN BE =M$4 ,ON A !ORETICAL LEVEL1 ?IS APPROA* NEGATES ! OPPORTUNITY = 0OBJECTIVITY10 & PUTS A ME?OD ( MULTIPLE SUBJECTIVITIES 9 ITS PLACE4 ,:5 Y\ ID5TIFY Y\R [N POSITION CONFRONT+ A C]TA9 >GUM5T1 9CLUD+ BO? Y\R [N WILL TO ACT AS WELL AS ! FE>S ?AT COME UP 9 Y\1 !N :AT IS /RATEGICALLY NECESS>Y WILL BECOME CLE>4 

,TODAY1 ! ROLE & POSITION ( MILITANTS 9 ! ,P,K,K & ,P,A,J,K 7! ,FREE ,WOM5'S ,P>TY7 HAS *ANG$ COMP>$ TO ! #a#i#hS & '#iS4 ,!IR SELF-IMAGE HAS GR[N CLOS] TO :AT WE MI<T UND]/& AS A MILITANT AN>*I/ P]SONALITY3 FI<T+ = SELF-EMP[]M5T & MUTUAL AID4 ,UND] ! OLD P>ADIGM1 ! MILITANT NE$$ TO BE SELFLESS & SELF-SACRIFIC+4 ,AL?\< ?IS CONCEPTION IS NOT TOTALLY GONE1 IT IS *ANG+1 AS DISCUSSIONS 9 ! MOVEM5T REJECT DI*OTOMIES & SUPPORT FI<T+ BO? = 9DIVIDUAL PROCESSES ( SELF-TRANS=MATION AS WELL AS = COLLECTIVE BEAUTY & /R5G?4 ,AS !IR CONCEPTION ( ! ROLE ( MILITANTS HAS *ANG$1 !Y'VE REJECT$ ! \TDAT$ IDEA ( BECOM+ A VANGU>D4 ,9/EAD1 IT COMES D[N TO LIV+ A WELL-ORGANIZ$1 SECUL> ASCETIC =M ( LIFE1 BAS$ 9 ! IDEA ?AT FI<T+ = \R FRI5DS & = ! REVOLUTION IS ! BE/ WAY A LIFE CAN BE LIV$4 

,:AT LESSONS HAVE Y\ LE>N$ FROM Y\R TIME SP5T 9 ,KURDI/AN = RADICAL /RUGGLES 9 ,G]MANY & BEYOND8 

,FIR/1 MY 5GAGEM5T ) ! ,KURDI% LIB]ATION MOVEM5T1 AS AN HI/ORICAL /RUGGLE & A SOCIETY 9 REBELLION1 HAS ACTUALLY MADE IT POSSIBLE = ME TO BELIEVE AGA9--NOT ONLY ?AT ?IS WORLD IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE1 BUT 9 ! POSSIBILITY ( FI<T+ = ANO!R WORLD4 ,I W\LD CALL ?IS RECLAIM+ ! P[] ( IMAG9ATION1 :I* HAS UNLEA%$ A HUGE FEEL+ ( MOTIVATION & ALSO A C]TA9 S]I\SNESS 9 MANY ( \R FRI5DS4 ,IT'S OV]:ELM+ TO SEE ! HUGE COLLECTIVE CONSCI\SNESS 9 ,KURDI% SOCIETY4 

,LOOK+ BACK AT ,WE/]N METROPOLITAN LIFE1 IT SEEMS SO OBVI\S H[ PATRI>*Y & CAPITALISM HAVE SPREAD 9TO EV]Y P>T ( \R LIVES4 ,I ?9K WE'VE MADE HUGE LEAPS 9 UND]/&+ \R [N HI/ORY & SOCIETY ?R\< DISCUSSION ) \R FRI5DS FROM ! ,KURDI% Y\? MOVEM5T4 ,9 P>TICUL>1 !IR FOCUS ON PHILOSOPHY & SELF-P]CEPTION HAS MADE CLE> H[ MU* WE1 AS AN>*I/S OR ! RADICAL LEFT1 >E HAMP]$ BY MORALISM4 ,WE'VE LE>N$ TO BASE \R ACTIONS ON !SE NOTIONS ( GOOD_/BAD1 RI<T_/WRONG1 & GUILT_/PITY1 DRUMM$ 9TO US ?R\< RELIGION & ACADEMIA & !ORY1 RA!R ?AN ON \R ACTUAL COMMON E?ICAL ATTA*M5TS & FRI5D%IPS4 ,TO />T ! PROCESS ( LIB]AT+ \RSELVES1 WE HAVE TO OV]COME ! LIB]AL B\RGEOIS P]SONALITY & CAPITALI/ BEHAVIOR1 TO VANQUI% ! 9N] /ATE M5TALITY4 

,9 CONTRA/ TO ?IS1 9 ,G]MANY & MORE BROADLY 9 ! ,WE/ WE'RE CONFRONT$ ) 9T]NALIZ$ 9DIVIDUALISM & LIB]ALISM1 NOT ONLY 9 ! BROAD] SOCIETY BUT ALSO )9 \R POLITICAL 0SC5E0--A SC5E ) A G5]AL T5D5CY T[>DS NIHILI/ LIFE/YLES & ID5TITY POLITICS4 ,9 MY OBS]VATION1 MO/ ( ! MILITANTS 9 \R SC5E1 AS WELL AS ! MAJORITY ( LIB]AL Y\?1 GIVE AN ABSOLUTE PREC$5CE TO ! 0FRE$OM0 ( ! 9DIVIDUAL1 SIMPLY FOLL[+ :ATEV] DRIVES & 9CL9ATIONS COME UP = !M1 9 AN 5VIRONM5T :]E EV]Y?+ IS ALL[$4 ,AT ! SAME TIME !RE IS A FEEL+ ( SUBJECTION & !RE=E AN ACCEPTANCE ( A PR$ET]M9$1 UN*ANGEABLE 5VIRONM5T4 ,?IS (T5 LEADS ON ! ONE H& TO A PESSIMI/IC S5SE ( P>ALYZES1 HOPELESSNESS & DEPRESSION1 & ON ! ! O!R H& TO A GUILT-FUEL$ RE-5TR5*M5T 9 ID5TITIES ?AT D]IVE FROM ! P[] /RUCTURES !Y >E CRITICIZ+ 7:ITE1 MIDDLE-CLASS1 PRIVILEG$7 & SUBM]SION 9 V>I\S =MS ( COMM]CIALIZ$ LIFE/YLE SC5ES 7PUNK1 H>DCORE1 RADICAL LEFT1 0AN>*I/07444 ALL ( :I* BO? LEAD TO & >ISE FROM ?IS OMNIPRES5T 9DIVIDUALISM4 ,I ?9K IT MI<T BE 9T]E/+ TO ANALYZE ! IMPACT ( ! Y\? REBELLIONS ( #a#i#f#h1 BECAUSE IT GAVE A HUGE DRIVE TO ?IS DEVELOPM5T4 ,WE'RE CONFRONT$ ) MASSES ( PEOPLE >\ND US BLAM+ ! UNCONSCI\S SOCIETY1 POLITICIANS1 COPS1 OR FASCI/S AS BOGEYM51 BUT :O HAVE TOTALLY LO/ !IR GRIP ON REALITY & !IR [N RESPONSIBILITY & AG5CY4 ,9/EAD1 MO/ ( US KEEP ON LIV+ ! LIB]AL MY? ( ECONOMIC SUCCESS & RETIREM5T1 FLEE+ 9TO /UDIES1 WORK1 LEISURE1 PRIVATIZ$ POLITICAL ACTIVISM1 HOLIDAYS1 P>TIES1 DRUGS1 CONSUMPTION--SUICIDE6 

,!RE'S A ?9 L9E BETWE5 ?IS PRES5T ,WE/]N CONCEPTION ( AN>*ISM & LIB]ALISM4 ,AL?\< CLASSICAL AN>*I/S LIKE ,EMMA ,GOLDMAN RECOGNIZ$ ! IMPORTANCE ( POSITIVE FRE$OM1 0FRE$OM TO10 LIB]ALISM FOCUSES ON NEGATIVE FRE$OM1 OR 0FRE$OM FROM10 ! NOTION ?AT PEOPLE >E FREE 9S(> AS !Y >E NOT CON/RA9$ BY LAWS & REGULATIONS4 ,?IS UND]/&+ ( FRE$OM FITS EASILY 9TO ! E?OS ( 9DIVIDUALISM1 PRIVATE PROP]TY1 & CAPITALISM1 COMPLETELY D5Y+ ! DIALECTICAL RELATION%IP BETWE5 9DIVIDUAL & SOCIETY & ! FACT ?AT HUMAN BE+S HAVE ALWAYS LIV$ 9 COMMUNITIES AS SOCIAL 9DIVIDUALS1 B\ND TOGE!R ?R\< COMMON RULES & VALUES4 ,WE ?9K ?AT HUMAN VALUES >E SOCIALLY DET]M9$1 & ?AT SOCIAL RULES & REGULATIONS TO UPHOLD !M DO NOT REPRES5T A RE/RICTION ON SOME PREEXI/+ FRE$OM1 BUT =M P>T ( ! CONDITIONS ( A FREE LIFE1 :I* MU/ 9CLUDE 9DIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE FRE$OM4 ,AS A C\NT]EXAMPLE TO ! LIB]AL 0FRE$OM0 ( ,WE/]N AN>*I/ & RADICAL LEFT SC5ES1 IT'S WOR? M5TION+ ?AT ! ,KURDI% Y\? MOVEM5T IS REALLY /RICTLY FI<T+ AGA9/ DRUG DEAL+ & ABUSE1 BECAUSE ! ,TURKI% /ATE IS CLE>LY TRY+ TO DE/ROY ! MOVEM5T NOT ONLY ) TE> GAS & >RE/S BUT ) ALL AVAILABLE MEANS ( MOD]N C\NT]-9SURG5CY1 9CLUD+ SUPPORT = DRUG DEAL+ & PRO/ITUTION4 ,WE ?9K !RE MU/ BE A COLLECTIVE REFLECTION ON H[ CONSUM]ISM1 9DIVIDUALISM1 & O!R =MS ( LIB]ALISM FUNCTION AS A =M ( C\NT]-9SURG5CY & H[ MU* WE HAVE 9T]NALIZ$ !M 9TO \R M5TALITY & BEHAVIOR4 ,WE NE$ TO ORGANIZE SELF-DEF5SE AGA9/ ! ATTACKS ( !SE CAPITALI/ IDEOLOGIES ?AT R$UCE US TO NO?+ MORE ?AN CONSUM]S & SELF-[N+ 5TREPR5EUR_/WORK]S4 

,9 CONTRA/ TO !SE LIB]AL ILLUSIONS1 \R EXP]I5CES ) COMRADES 9 ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T HAVE GIV5 US P]SPECTIVE ON ! IMPORTANCE ( SOLV+ ?IS ,WE/]N POL>IZATION BETWE5 9DIVIDUAL & SOCIETY1 FOCUS+ ON COLLECTIVE VALUES & E?ICS RA!R ?AN POLITICAL & ID5TIT>IAN VIEWPO9TS4 ,9SPIR$ BY ! EXAMPLE ( ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T1 ,I ?9K WE %\LD /UDY & RECLAIM \R HI/ORY AS P>T ( ! PROCESS ( DEVELOP+ ! SELF-AW>5ESS WE NE$ TO SOLVE ! ,WE/]N DILEMMA WE'RE CONFRONT$ )4 ,?R\< CRITICISM ( CIVILIZATION & ANALYSIS ( \R COMMUNAL & DEMOCRATIC H]ITAGE1 WE CAN DEVELOP HI/ORICAL CONSCI\SNESS & CONFID5CE 9 :AT WE'RE DO+4 ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN TRI$ 9 HIS PRISON WRIT+S TO DELVE 9TO ! HI/ORICAL BACKGR\ND ( ! ,KURDI% /RUGGLE QUITE DEEPLY1 SO AS TO HAVE ! OPPORTUNITY TO COMP>E IT TO E>LI] EXP]I5CES ( REVOLUTION>Y /RUGGLES4 ,MANY 9 ! ,P,K,K TODAY DRAW ON ?IS HI/ORY TO CRITICALLY REFLECT ON !IR IDEOLOGY & /RATEGIES1 WEAV+ IT 9TO ! PROCESS ( SELF-QUE/ION+ & ! CREATION ( !IR [N PHILOSOPHY ( LIB]ATION--A REVOLUTION>Y MY?OLOGY1 P]HAPS4 

,& AT ! SAME TIME1 ?IS DOESN'T MEAN GETT+ CAU<T 9 NO/ALGIA4 ,9/EAD1 TAKE 9SPIRATION FROM ! R5EW+ P[] ( Y\?1 ( ALWAYS MOV+ =W>D :ILE QUE/ION+4 ,DON'T BE AFRAID ( SELF-DEVELOPM5T2 BE OP5 TO CRITICISM & LE>N FROM Y\R & O!RS' MI/AKES4 ,LET ! PROCESS ( REVOLUTION>Y *ANGE />T ) Y\RSELF4 ,MAYBE ?AT'S ALSO QUITE A GOOD ?+ = ,EUROPEAN AN>*I/S TO REMEMB]3 ! REVOLUTION>Y PROCESS IS NEV] SOME?+ \TSIDE ( Y\2 IT HAS TO BE ID5TICAL ) Y\R [N PROGRESS T[>DS FRE$OM1 = Y\ BECOME A SYMBIOTIC P>T ( A FREE SOCIETY4 ,I ?9K EV]Y MILITANT AN>*I/ %\LD ACCEPT \R HI/ORICAL RESPONSIBILITY & ! POSSIBILITY ( GA!R+ \R COLLECTIVE P[] & AG5CY TO BUILD & DEF5D A SOCIETY BAS$ ON CREATIVITY1 DIV]SITY1 & AUTONOMY4 ,BUT ?IS MEANS WE HAVE TO LIVE ! WAY WE ?9K & SPEAK4 ,SO LET'S SWEEP \R LIB]AL IDEAS 9TO ! DU/B9 ( HI/ORY4 ,ONLY !N WILL WE BE ABLE TO MOVE BEYOND COMMON !ORETICAL AGREEM5T & BE ABLE 0TO *ANGE EV]Y?+10 AS Y\ SAY6 

,! CONNECTION BETWE5 AN>*I/S OR ! RADICAL LEFT & ! ,KURDI% LIB]ATION /RUGGLE SEEMS TO BE /RONG 9 ,G]MANY1 ) MANY AN>*I/S ACTIVE 9 SOLID>ITY EF=TS & TAK+ GREAT 9SPIRATION FROM ,ROJAVA & ELSE:]E 9 ,KURDI/AN4 ,CAN Y\ TALK AB\T ! HI/ORY ( !SE TIES ( SOLID>ITY8 ,:AT >E SOME ( ! CONCRETE =MS ?AT SOLID>ITY HAS TAK58 

,AT FIR/1 GR\PS ( SOLID>ITY EM]G$ FROM ! SQUATT+ MOVEM5T 9 ,G]MANY4 ,S9CE ! #a#i#iS !RE W]E ALSO ,G]MAN COMRADES :O JO9$ ! GU]RILLA /RUGGLE4 ,SOME ( !M DI$ 9 ! W>1 LIKE ,%EHID ,RONAHI 7,&REA ,WOLF74 ,%E HAD TO DISAPPE> BECAUSE %E WAS P]SECUT$ BY ! ,G]MAN /ATE = ACTIONS ( ! ,R$ ,>MY ,FRACTION1 SO %E JO9$ ! RANKS ( ,P,K,K & F\<T AS AN 9T]NATIONALI/4 ,!RE W]E SEV]AL ,G]MAN MILITANTS :O JO9$ ! >M$ ,KURDI% /RUGGLE1 & SO !RE >E SOME OLD] COMRADES :O CAN %>E !IR EXP]I5CES & REFLECT ON ! MI/AKES ?AT W]E MADE 9 ?OSE DAYS4 ,9 ! '#iS !RE W]E ALSO A LOT ( PROBLEMS BETWE5 ! ,G]MAN LEFT & ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T1 COM+ FROM BO? SIDES4 ,ON ! ONE H&1 ! ,P,K,K WAS /ILL 5TR5*$ 9 ! OLD P>ADIGM & FOCUS$ /RONGLY ON ! /RUGGLE 9 ,KURDI/AN TO ! EXCLUSION ( EV]Y?+ ELSE1 :I* MADE IT H>D TO E/ABLI% A REAL RELATION%IP ( FRI5D%IP4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,G]MANS MA9TA9$ \R CLASSIC PATT]NS ( DI/ANCE-KEEP+1 CRITICIZ+ )\T UND]/&+1 & ! >ROGANCE ( ! METROPOLE4 ,:5 ,OCALAN WAS >RE/$ & ! MOVEM5T /RUGGL$ H>D TO SURVIVE1 ?IS T5U\S SOLID>ITY FRACTUR$4 

,=TUNATELY1 AS ! NEW P>ADIGM FIR/ BEGAN TO EM]GE1 A NEW PROCESS ( LE>N+ BEGAN1 AL?\< = A LONG TIME IT MOV$ QUITE SL[LY & T5TATIVELY4 ,G]MAN COMRADES AGA9 VISIT$ ,KURDI/AN & GOT 9 CONTACT ) ORGANIZATIONS 9 DIASPORA1 :ILE O!RS AGA9 JO9$ ! GU]RILLA /RUGGLE4 ,! ,P,K,K UND]/&S ITSELF AS 9T]NATIONALI/1 & IT IS ( GREAT VALUE = ALL SIDES :5 9T]NATIONAL TIES >E /R5G!N$4 ,IT WAS ALWAYS H>D TO ORGANIZE TOGE!R ) ! ,KURDI% COMMUNITIES 9 DIASPORA1 & HONE/LY1 IT REMA9S A BIG PROBLEM TO ?IS DAY4 ,AL?\< !RE >E QUITE A LOT ( ,KURDI% PEOPLE LIV+ 9 ,EUROPE1 ! CONNECTIONS BETWE5 !M & O!R ,EUROPEAN RADICALS >E NOT V]Y /RONG4 ,?AT HAS DIFF]5T REASONS3 ONE ( !M IS ! FACT ?AT ,G]MAN SOCIETY IS QUITE RACI/1 & A LOT ( MIGRANT COMMUNITIES >E ORGANIZ+ JU/ AMONG !IR [N PEOPLE AS A K9D ( SELF-DEF5SE ME*ANISM4 ,ALSO1 NATIONALISM T5DS TO BE /RONG] AMONG ,KURDS 9 DIASPORA1 & ! SOCIETY 9 DIASPORA IS (T5 /ILL ORGANIZ$ ALONG FEUDAL L9ES4 ,BUT 9 ! #a#i#iS1 !RE W]E COMMON DEMON/RATIONS1 & TODAY ,G]MAN & ,KURDI% GR\PS >E ONCE AGA9 M>*+ TOGE!R4 ,BUT ON A LEVEL ( COMMON SELF-ORGANIZATION1 WE >E /ILL WEAK4 

,AFT] ! ATTACK ON ,%5GAL & ! SIEGE ( ,KOBANE LA/ YE>1 ATT5TION ROSE IMM$IATELY1 & ! :OLE RADICAL SC5E ( ,G]MANY WOKE UP4 ,S9CE !N1 SOME?+ HAS BEGUN SL[LY %IFT+ AS MORE & MORE PEOPLE >E TRY+ TO F9D !IR WAY D[N TO ,ROJAVA & SOME >E JO9+ ! RANKS ( ! ,Y,P,G_/,Y,P,J4 

,:AT SUGGE/IONS W\LD Y\ MAKE TO AN>*I/S 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA & ELSE:]E AB\T H[ TO LE>N FROM & %[ SOLID>ITY ) ! ,KURDI% /RUGGLE = LIB]ATION8 

,WE ?9K AN>*I/S %\LD UND]/& ! ,KURDI% LIB]ATION /RUGGLE AS !IR [N1 AS AN 9T]NATIONALI/ /RUGGLE4 ,APPRECIAT+ ! COMRADES 9 ,KURDI/AN CAN HELP US OV]COME ! LIB]AL ILLUSIONS WE'VE BE5 DISCUSS+4 ,!RE MU/ BE A RECOGNITION1 A CONSCI\SNESS1 ( RESPONSIBILITY = ! DILEMMA ( ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/4 ,OP5-M9D$NESS & WILL+NESS TO 5GAGE PHILOSOPHICALLY & !ORETICALLY ) ! IDEOLOGY ( ! MOVEM5T IS IMPORTANT1 SO ?AT WE CAN EXPRESS POSSIBILITIES 9 MANY LANGUAGES & COLORS4 ,?IS REQUIRES ?AT WE SUPPORT ! /RUGGLE 9 QUE/IONS ( COMMUNICATION1 TOO1 :I* CAN BE ONE P>T ( SEV]AL WAYS TO SUPPORT ! /RUGGLE TE*NICALLY4 ,FUR!RMORE1 !RE HAS ALWAYS BE5 A W>M 9VITATION TO ACTUALLY GO TO ,KURDI/AN TO LE>N1 CRITICIZE1 & REF9E IDEAS AB\T LOCAL & 9T]NATIONAL ORGANIZATION4 ,& AS \R ,KURDI% FRI5DS HAVE EMPHASIZ$ REPEAT$LY1 IT'S ULTIMATELY UP TO ?OSE ( US LIV+ 9 ! ,WE/]N METROPOLES TO BUILD UP \R [N REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5TS--?AT'S ! GREATE/ HELP WE C\LD GIVE !M1 = IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY = MUTUAL DEF5SE4 ,ALSO1 AS F> AS WE'VE HE>D1 PRACTICAL HELP IS NE$$ 9 SEV]AL SUBJECTS3 KN[L$GE AB\T 5G9E]+1 M$ICAL /UFF1 & ALL SORTS ( PRACTICAL ?+S CAN BE HELPFUL4 

,CAN Y\ GIVE US AN UPDATE ON ! REC5T WAVE ( /ATE & GRASSROOTS ANTI-,KURDI% REPRESSION GO+ ON 9 ,TURKEY8 ,H[ IS ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T RESPOND+ TO ?IS VIOL5CE8 

,RI<T N[ WE >E 9 A SITUATION ( ESCALATION4 ,9 RESPONSE TO HIS P>TY'S HEAVY ELECTORAL DEFEAT 9 ! P>LIAM5T>Y ELECTIONS ( ,JUNE #g1 ,TURKI% ,PRESID5T ,]DOGAN HAS DECL>$ W> ON ! ,KURDI% POPULATION & !RE=E T]M9AT$ ! PEACE PROCESS 9ITIAT$ BY ,OCALAN 9 #b#a#c4 ,S9CE ! MASSACRE 9 ! BORD] CITY ( ,SURUC1 :I* CO/ ! LIVES ( #cd Y\NG ,KURDI% & ,TURKI% RADICALS ON !IR WAY TO ,KOBANE AT ! 5D ( ,JULY1 !RE HAVE BE5 ?\S&S ( >RE/S & BOMB>DM5TS ( ,P,K,K GU]RILLA CAMPS BO? 9 ,BAKUR 7NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN_/S\!A/]N ,TURKEY7 & 9 ! ,M$YA ,DEF5SE ,T]RITORIES 9 ,BA%UR 7S\!RN ,KURDI/AN_/NOR!RN ,IRAQ74 ,:ILE POGROM-LIKE ATTACKS AGA9/ ,KURDS & O!R SOCIAL MOVEM5TS HAVE BE5 TAK+ PLACE 9 NOR!RN ,KURDI/AN & ALL OV] ,TURKEY = WEEKS1 ! MILIT>Y CONFLICT IS ESCALAT+1 ) MANY MILITANTS & CIVILIANS %OT BY ! /ATE4 ,MO/ REC5TLY1 ! ,TURKI% >MY BESIEG$ ! CITY ( ,CIZRE = A WEEK1 :ILE ,TURKI% ULTRA-NATIONALI/S ATTACK$ ,KURDS & (FICES ( ! ,H,D,P 7A ,KURDI% POLITICAL P>TY7 ALL OV] ! C\NTRY4 ,MANY ,KURDI% %OPS W]E BURN$ D[N BY SUPPORT]S ( ! ,A,K,P1 ,]DOGAN'S CONS]VATIVE ,JU/ICE & ,DEVELOPM5T ,P>TY1 AS WELL AS BY MEMB]S ( FASCI/ ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ! ,GRAY ,WOLVES1 ! Y\? ORGANIZATION ( ! FASCI/ ,NATIONALI/ ,MOVEM5T ,P>TY4 ,SIMIL> ATTACKS ON ,KURDS & O!R OPPON5TS ( ! W> HAVE TAK5 PLACE 9 ,EUROPE 9 REC5T DAYS1 & :ILE ! ,G]MAN /ATE KEEPS QUIET AB\T !SE ATTACKS BY ,TURKI% NATIONALI/S1 ,KURDI% MILITANTS HAVE BE5 CRIM9ALIZ$ & >RE/$4 

,9 ! FACE ( ?IS VIOL5CE1 ! MOVEM5T HAS DEVELOP$ A MODEL CALL$ ! !ORY ( LEGITIMATE SELF-DEF5SE1 OR ! !ORY ( ! ROSE4 ,IT'S A METAPHOR BAS$ ON ! IDEA ?AT EV]Y LIV+ BE+ HAS TO DEF5D ITS [N BEAUTY AS IT /RUGGLES TO SURVIVE4 ,ALL BE+S MU/ CREATE ME?ODS ( SELF-DEF5SE ACCORD+ TO !IR [N WAY ( LIV+1 GR[+1 & CONNECT+ ) O!RS1 9 :I* ONE DOES NOT AIM TO DE/ROY ONE'S 5EMY1 BUT TO =CE IT TO *ANGE ITS 9T5TION TO ATTACK4 ,GU]RILLA FI<T]S DISCUSS ?IS AS A DEF5SIVE /RATEGY 9 A MILIT>Y S5SE1 BUT IT ALSO WORKS ON O!R SCALES4 ,9 ESS5CE1 WE CAN UND]/& IT AS A ME?OD ( SELF-EMP[]M5T4 ,= A LONG TIME1 ! ,P,K,K GU]RILLAS DIDN'T DO ANY?+1 GRANT$ ?AT ! ,TURKI% /ATE CONT9U$ NEGOTIATIONS1 BECAUSE !Y KNEW !Y C\LDN'T DEFEAT !M MILIT>ILY4 ,IF Y\'RE /RONG 5\< & FOLL[ Y\R WAY1 !RE WILL BE NO NE$ = VIOL5CE2 IT BECOMES SIMPLY A MATT] ( ORGANIZATION4 ,?IS UND]/&+ ( SELF-DEF5SE IS ALSO P>T ( ! NEW P>ADIGM4 

,GIV5 ! COMPLEX GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT ( ! ,KURDI% /RUGGLE1 CAU<T BETWE5 V>I\S HO/ILE /ATES & >M$ =CES1 :AT DO Y\ ?9K IT WILL TAKE = A G5U9ELY ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN REVOLUTION TO TAKE HOLD & LA/ 9 ! REGION8 

,WELL1 AS WE'VE LE>N$ FROM /UDY+ O!R REVOLUTIONS ACROSS HI/ORY3 ! ONLY OPPORTUNITY = A REVOLUTION TO LA/ IS = IT TO SPREAD1 TO WID5 ITS HORIZONS & TO OV]COME ALL ! BORD]S E/ABLI%$ TO CONTA9 IT4 ,AS \R ,KURDI% COMRADES EXPLA91 !RE >E TWO PILL>S TO REVOLUTION>Y /RUGGLE4 ,! FIR/ & MO/ IMPORTANT ONE IS ! PROCESS ( BUILD+ DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMY2 IT COMES D[N TO ! SIMPLE QUE/ION ( H[ WE WANT TO LIVE1 ( H[ TO ORGANIZE \R DAILY LIVES4 ,RI<T N[1 IT'S H>D TO BR+ ?AT QUE/ION 9TO FOCUS1 BECAUSE ! :OLE REGION IS BURN+ & CAU<T UP 9 W>4 ,?AT'S :Y ! SECOND PILL> IS SELF-DEF5SE BY ANY MEANS NECESS>Y4 ,BO? >E CRUCIAL1 & MU/ BE APPLI$ ON DIFF]5T LEVELS4 ,REVOLUTION>Y UPRIS+S ACROSS HI/ORY 9 ,EUROPE & ELSE:]E ?AT NEGLECT$ ONE PILL> OR ! O!R W]E 9EVITABLY DEFEAT$4 

,IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO /R5G!N ! REVOLUTION>Y POSITION 9 ,KURDI/AN1 NOT ONLY MILIT>ILY1 BUT ALSO BY BUILD+ COMMUNICATION ) COMRADES ALL OV] ! WORLD4 ,AS ! REVOLUTION>Y UPHEAVAL 9 ,TURKEY EXP&S & SUPPORT FROM )9 ! ,WE/ GR[S1 !RE IS LESS OPPORTUNITY = O!R REGIONAL P[]S TO ATTACK ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T4 ,MOREOV]1 WE %\LD RECOGNIZE ! HUGE POT5TIAL ?AT ! EXP]I5CE ( ?IS MOVEM5T (F]S US TO 5L>GE \R [N P]SPECTIVE4 ,!Y ORGANIZ$ )9 A SITUATION ?AT HAS BE5 MORE DESP]ATE ?AN \RS FROM ! BEG9N+1 & NEV]!LESS !Y'VE SUCCE$$4 ,I'D SAY IT IS A C]TA9 WAY ( DEAL+ ) A CONCRETE DANG] ?AT MADE !M ?AT /RONG4 ,ALSO1 IT W\LD BE QUITE PRODUCTIVE TO EX*ANGE EXP]I5CES4 ,9 SPECIFIC QUE/IONS ( SELF-ORGANIZATION1 ! ME?ODS & TOOLS ( AN>*I/ MOVEM5TS 9 ! ,WE/ >E QUITE CREATIVE & C\LD (F] A LOT ( SUPPORT4 

,RI<T N[ 9 ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/1 WE HAVE ! /RANGE SITUATION ( A RELATIVE P[] BALANCE1 ) ,ROJAVA POSITION$ )9 ! EYE ( ! /ORM4 ,!RE IS ! GR& VISION ( POLITICAL ,SUNNI ,ISLAM1 PU%$ =W>D BY ! GOV]NM5TS ( ,TURKEY & ,SAUDI ,>ABIA1 PRIM>ILY4 ,!N !RE >E ! ,%IA /ATES ( ,IRAN1 ,IRAQ1 & ! REMNANTS ( ! ,ASSAD REGIME 9 ,SYRIA4 ,!RE IS ALSO ,N,A,T,O1 ( :I* ,TURKEY IS A MEMB]1 ?\< IT ALSO ASS]TS ITS [N 9T]E/S4 ,9 ! MIDDLE WE ALSO HAVE ! ,ISLAMIC ,/ATE 7,I,S71 A ZOMBIE >MY ?AT CANNOT BE CONTROLL$ BY ANYONE ANYMORE1 EV5 ?\< IT WAS PROBABLY CREAT$ & SUPPORT$ TO CRU% ,KURDI% RESI/ANCE & ! REGIME 9 ,DAMASCUS4 ,SO 9 ?IS *AOTIC SITUATION1 ,ROJAVA IS /ILL NECESS>Y = ,N,A,T,O1 = EXAMPLE1 AS ! ONLY LOCAL RELIABLE OPTION ?AT HAS BE5 ABLE TO DEFEAT ,I,S4 ,SO1 YEAH1 ,ROJAVA IS K9D ( CAU<T BETWE5 ALL !SE MILIT>Y P[]S4 ,BUT AS WE'VE LE>N$ FROM MANY REVOLUTIONS1 W> IS NOT SIMPLY A MATT] ( MA!MATICS4 ,IT'S MORE L9K$ TO A C]TA9 WAY ( FI<T+1 & A MATT] ( CONSCI\SNESS4 ,WE %\LD LE>N FROM ?AT4 

,CAN Y\ EXPLA9 :AT Y\ MEAN BY ?IS 0WAY ( FI<T+10 OR SPECIFIC K9D ( CONSCI\SNESS 9 >M$ /RUGGLE1 ?AT MAKES ! ,KURDI% RESI/ANCE DI/9CTIVE8 

,LET ME %>E A /ORY ?AT A FRI5D ONCE TOLD ME4 ,HE TOOK P>T 9 ! ,Q&IL W> 9 #b#a#a4 ,AT ?AT TIME1 !RE WAS A PRAGMATIC ALLIANCE BETWE5 ,TURKEY & ,IRAN3 BO? HAD A PROBLEM ) ! ,KURDI% MOVEM5T1 & W]E AFRAID ( ! MILIT>Y OPPORTUNITIES ! GU]RILLAS HAD4 ,Q&IL =MS ! S\!RN 5D ( ! ,M$IYA ,DEF5SE ,T]RITORIES1 ! GU]RILLA-CONTROLL$ M\NTA9S 9 ! BORD] REGIONS ( ,IRAN1 ,IRAQ1 & ,TURKEY4 ,HE TOLD ME AB\T A SITUATION :5 ONE & A HALF ?\S& PASD>AN1 ! ,IRAN 9FANTRY REGIM5TS1 TRI$ TO /ORM ! HILL :]E ! GU]RILLAS W]E HID+4 ,!RE W]E ONLY AB\T ?IRTY COMRADES DEF5D+ !IR M\NTA94 ,HE EXPLA9$ ?AT :AT ! ,IRANIAN >MY TRI$ TO USE AGA9/ !M W]E JU/ !IR BULLETS1 & !IR FE> ( PUNI%M5T FROM !IR LEAD]S4 ,!Y RAN BL9DLY UPW>DS1 & W]E DEFEAT$4 ,!Y HAD NO CONVICTION1 NO 5]GY1 NO FRI5D%IP BETWE5 !M4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 :5 HIS COMRADES DEF5D$ !IR POSITION1 !Y DIDN'T JU/ USE !IR WEAPONS1 HE TOLD ME4 ,!Y W]E FI<T+ = !IR LOOT$ VILLAGES1 = !IR SPLIT FAMILIES1 ) !IR FALL5 FRI5DS 9 M9D1 ) ! CONSCI\SNESS ?AT ! ATTACK+ >MY W\LD BURN ! M\NTA9S & =E/S BEH9D !M & DE/ROY ! NATURE 9 !IR L&S4 ,!Y F\<T = ?OSE :O W]E TOO WEAK TO /& ALONE1 = ALL ! P>TS ( SOCIETY :O /OOD BEH9D !M & HAD !IR BACK4 ,MAYBE IT'S H>D TO UND]/& IF Y\ DIDN'T FEEL IT Y\RSELF4 ,BUT !IR 5]GY WAS BACK$ BY A LONG L9E ( FRI5DS1 HI/ORICALLY EXP]I5C$ OPPRESSION1 MUTUAL PROTECTION--A LOVE = LIFE & A BELIEF 9 !MSELVES4 

,ALL !SE ?+S COME FIR/1 HE SAID1 :5 Y\'RE SITT+ NEXT TO Y\R FRI5DS 9 Y\R GU>D POSITION & RAIS+ Y\R >MS 9 DEF5SE3 Y\R TRU/ 9 Y\R COMRADES1 Y\R GRATITUDE = ?OSE :O BELIEVE 9 A FREE SOCIETY LIV+ 9 ! VALLEYS1 = ! ONES :O CULTIVATE ! G>D5S FE$+ Y\1 Y\R SADNESS AB\T ! HORRORS ! /ATE DID TO Y\R FRI5DS & FAMILIES4 ,& 9 ! 5D1 !RE'S ! BULLET Y\ %OOT AT ! ONES /UMBL+ 9 Y\R DIRECTION4 ,H[ C\LD !Y POSSIBLY W91 HE ASK$1 SMIL+4 

,EV5 ! FI<T] :O IS OBJECTIVELY WEAKE/ CAN SUMMON GREAT /R5G?1 IF %E'S FI<T+ = H] [N SAKE & = ?OSE H] HE>T BELONGS TO1 )\T BE+ PU%$ 9TO A DIRECTION OR IDEOLOGY OR BE+ PRESS$ TO DO SOME?+ %E DOESN'T WANT TO4 ,?OSE :O FI<T = !IR SOCIETY & ! SYMBIOTIC RELATION%IPS ?AT HAVE PROTECT$ & N\RI%$ !M WILL ALWAYS DEFEAT CONV5TIONAL ME?ODS BAS$ 9 M]E DE/RUCTION1 HEGEMONIC 9T]E/S & /RATEGIES BAS$ ON HO/ILITY4 ,IT REM9D$ ME ( ! WORDS SOME PHILOSOPHICAL FRI5DS FROM ! ,WE/ ONCE SAID3 CONNECT+ REALITY TO Y\R [N DESIRES HAS REVOLUTION>Y MEAN+4 ,IF Y\ REALLY KN[ :AT Y\'RE FI<T+ =1 IF Y\ SEE ! ESS5TIALS ( ! SITUATION Y\'RE 91 Y\ CAN L9K IT TO Y\R WILL TO LIVE1 :I* WILL GIVE Y\ A BEAUTY EV5 BEYOND DEA?4 ,?IS GU]RILLA TOLD ME ?AT !Y UND]/& !MSELVES AS LIFE GU>DS1 US+ !IR [N ABILITIES TO PROTECT ! LIFE ( !IR SOCIETY4 ,IT IMPRESS$ ME A LOT4 

,IT ALSO POSES ! QUE/ION3 :]E WILL ! REVOLUTION>Y 5]GY = ! ,WE/ COME FROM8 ,WE H>DLY UND]/& \R [N SITUATION1 PRESS$ 9TO PRAGMATIC DECISIONS BAS$ ON A COMPLEX SY/EM ( DEP5D5CIES4 ,MAYBE ?IS IS ! LESSON WE HAVE TO LE>N = \RSELVES3 :AT IS ! TRU? ( \R COMMON SITUATION ?AT WE HAVE TO UND]/& TO BEG98 ,?IS IS ! SAME REASON :Y NO O!R >MY RI<T N[ CAN PU% BACK ! ,I,S =CES 9 ,SYRIA4 ,9 DEF5D+ ,KOBANE1 ! ,Y,P,G_/,Y,P,J BAS$ !IR DEF5SE ON ?IS SAME CONSCI\SNESS4 ,NOBODY C\LD BELIEVE ?AT !Y W\LD FREE !IR CITY2 IT GOES BEYOND RATIONALISM4 ,IT'S MORE AB\T FAI? 9 Y\RSELF & BELIEF 9 Y\R REVOLUTION>Y 5]GY1 :I* EVOLVES \T ( Y\R DESIRE TO LIVE4 ,?AT IS ! ?+ ?AT HAS BE5 NE>LY BEAT5 \T ( Y\ IF Y\'VE BE5 RAIS$ 9 ,WE/]N CAPITALISM4 

,ANO!R FRI5D ADD$ ?AT IF Y\ REALLY WANT TO CREATE A NEW SOCIETY BAS$ 9 NON-OPPRESSIVE RELATION%IPS1 Y\'RE TRY+ TO BUILD SOME?+ ?AT DOESN'T EXI/ YET4 ,IT =MS P>T ( A NEW WORLD1 ANO!R WORLD4 ,H[ C\LD Y\ POSSIBLY UND]/& IT RATIONALLY FROM Y\R PO9T ( VIEW TODAY8 ,IT'S NOT 9 ! BOOKS4 ,Y\ NE$ TO GET CRAZY TO OV]COME ! /ATUS QUO2 Y\ NE$ TO BE CONV9C$ BY Y\R FANTASY & Y\R DESIRE4 ,?AT'S Y\R PROBLEM 9 ,EUROPE1 HE CONCLUD$3 Y\ =GOT H[ TO DO ?AT4 

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON #bND ,DECEMB] #bb FROM CRIME?9C4COM47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#c1 #bbb 3 ,FROM ,G]MANY TO ,BAKUR -- ,ADD$4 

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